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“No. But I’d like to sit in on your group session today if that’s okay.”
“That’s highly unusual, Dr. Gray. Group sessions aren’t open to outsiders.”
“I understand. But I’m here in a professional capacity.”
Dvita blinked rapidly. “I wasn’t aware you’d been assigned to the investigation.”
“Officially, I haven’t, but given my area of expertise, I might be able to offer valuable input.”
“Forgive me, Dr. Gray, but I’m afraid your expertise has no merit here. Allowing you to sit in would violate the safety and sanctity I offer my patients.”
Dana was dumbfounded. “Dr. Dvita, one of your patients was brutally murdered with an occult artifact. There is no one else in this city who has more expertise in that field. If someone here can shed light on what happened, we are duty bound to make that happen.”
Dvita cocked his head. “Careful, Dr. Gray. You sound more like that FBI agent you spend so much time with than the Smithsonian’s renowned archivist.”
“Look, I came here for Claire. You’re the one who implored me to continue her therapy.”
“Yes, and that’s precisely what I’m doing, Dr. Gray. This is a therapy session, not an interrogation. My patients need to feel safe to share what they went through. Badgering them like suspects will do more harm than good. They’ve been through enough of that already when they were questioned by the police.”
“I understand. I don’t need to say a word. If I can just observe?—”
“Dr. Gray, I think it’s best if you stick to your job and let me do mine.”
He started to turn away, but Dana was desperate to get what she’d come for. “Can I at least see the tapes of Claire’s sessions?”
Dr. Dvita turned back to face her, his expression stony. “You spoke to Meredith Kincaid.”
He hadn’t posed it as a question, but Dana couldn’t stop herself from asking. “Why do you say that?”
His smile held no warmth. “You might understand death, Dr. Gray, but I understand the human mind.”
“Then you should know mine isn’t easily swayed. I’d like to see Claire’s tapes.”
“Then I suggest you come back with a warrant.”
“What if Claire wants to show them to me?”
He shrugged. “Then I’d have to recommend she reconsider.”
“I don’t get it. Yesterday you hypnotized Claire in front of me and were more than willing to share details about her recovery. What’s changed?”
“Nothing has changed, Dr. Gray. I’m looking out for the well-being of my patients. And I wouldn’t be doing my job if I surrendered private sessions that could easily be misinterpreted by the untrained observer. Psychiatry is a complex field. Having to explain that only proves my point.” He extended his arm, pointing to the exit. “Leave the expertise to the experts.”
36
Claire clung to Betty,letting the girl’s overpowering perfume settle around her like a cloak. With her eyes shut tight, Claire let herself imagine they were still at Passages and none of this had happened. When she opened her eyes, Hayes would be there with that ‘you can trust me’smile, while Max watched on stoically from the corner.
Max… God, she missed him. She hated thinking of him out there alone.
Betty pulled away, breaking Claire’s imaginary bubble. “Claire, tell me the rumors aren’t true. Do the police really think you witnessed the murder?”
Claire flinched. “Who told you that?”
“Lincoln told me. I ran into him at the precinct. My interview was after his. I guess he overheard some cops talking about you witnessing it.”
Claire swore, her eyes darting around the room until she found Lincoln. The stoner was standing with two men in dark suits that screamed security detail, and they probably were, considering his popstar parents. “Lincoln has a big mouth,” Claire muttered.
“What did you tell the cops?” Betty pressed.
